PLACEMAKING WEEK EUROPE 2023: A DEEP DIVE INTO THE URBAN TRANSFORMATION MOVEMENT
Luca Veress of ABUD participated as a panelist at the largest placemaking event in Europe
Placemaking Week Europe, a four-day festival from September 26th to 29th, 2023, brought together urban visionaries and practitioners from around the world to explore the future of cities through the lenses of ecology, equity, civic engagement, and place-led development.
Among the event’s attendees was our colleague, Luca Veress, who participated in a thought-provoking session titled “Using the Placemaking Philosophy for a Just Climate and Energy Transition.” Here’s a glimpse into her experiences and insights from this inspiring event.
Placemaking for Ecology
How can placemaking help achieve balance between human culture and the natural environment? The discussion Luca participated in leaned more towards a workshop format and focused on placemaking for ecology. Participants introduced several case studies, including climate adaptation in cities and just transitions in the context of energy transmission. JUSTNature Project has also been highlighted, especially how nature-based solutions are implemented to promote the transition to low-carbon cities. The interventions in the two project locations in Szombathely, Hungary were also briefly introduced. To kick-start the discussion, they posed three crucial questions to engage participants:
- What kind of scaling strategies can amplify the impact of civic initiatives in placemaking?
- What are the barriers in just transitions, and how can we overcome them?
- How can Placemaking be leveraged to foster participation in major transformations like the energy transition?
While participants shared numerous exciting examples and insights, time constraints limited the depth of these discussions. Nevertheless, the experience proved to be an eye-opener, offering valuable perspectives for future placemaking projects.
Photos © Maria Blau, Placemaking Week Europe
How others do Placemaking
The festival offered an array of sessions, including workshops, panel discussions, outdoor activities, city walks, and local urban planning tasks. Luca found particular inspiration in a longer session that allowed attendees to select local challenges the city is currently facing. She chose to participate in the transformation of a central area currently used for parking, situated near a historical church. The goal was to brainstorm short-term solutions for turning it into a more pedestrian-friendly space that aligns with local needs and community values, all while considering long-term sustainability.
Despite the wealth of knowledge and inspiration at Placemaking Week, Luca noted that many examples shared were mainly from Western and Northern Europe, which may not be directly applicable to Hungarian circumstances. She highlighted the importance of incorporating Eastern European examples into the event to foster a more inclusive dialogue.
Notably, the event’s location, the ‘Two Shores,’ was a former industrial port site that is being transformed into a sustainable, vibrant neighborhood. It aims to realize the ’15 minutes city concept,’ where housing, work, leisure, education, and more are available within the neighborhood’s proximity. The development embraces participatory, social, and affordable housing, excellent transportation connections, recreational spaces, and educational facilities, all while addressing city-level challenges like climate resilience and equity.
In conclusion, Placemaking Week Europe 2023 offered a rich tapestry of ideas and experiences for urban development and placemaking enthusiasts. Luca’s insights and observations serve as a testament to the event’s importance in shaping the future of our cities, fostering sustainability, equity, and community engagement.
